John Persons succeeding Frank Curci as CEO of Tops parent

Persons currently serves as chief operating officer of Schenectady-based Northeast Grocery, which was formed after Tops and Price Chopper/Market 32 completed their merger in 2021. Curci, who was named CEO of Northeast Grocery in January 2022, will retire Feb. 26.

Curci was Tops’ CEO from 2000 to 2003, and again from 2007 until the merger created Northeast Grocery, which has nearly 300 supermarkets.

“The 43 years I have spent in this business have been challenging and rewarding beyond measure and, without a doubt, the recent years spent planning and then bringing (Northeast Grocery) to life have been some of the most gratifying,” Curci said in a statement.

“I’m delighted that John has been chosen to succeed me. He has been instrumental in our merger success to date, providing the necessary leadership over these past few years to position (Northeast Grocery) for success,” Curci said.

The choice of Persons as CEO places another executive with strong Tops connections at the helm of Northeast Grocery. Persons was named COO in June 2023 after spending 39 years with Tops in a variety of roles.

“I am thrilled to lead (Northeast Grocery) forward in collaboration with the talented teammates and associates at Northeast Shared Services, Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops who are dedicated to nourishing the communities we serve,” Persons said in a statement. Northeast Shared Services provides back-office support to both grocery chains.

Northeast Grocery said Persons was chosen as CEO after an internal and external search to succeed Curci.

Persons was recently honored by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership with its inaugural Industry Leader award, for his leadership and community response following the May 14, 2022 massacre at a Tops supermarket on Jefferson Avenue.